10,000 Crores and Indian Railways

What 10,000 Crores ? I guess you already know, that's the profit the Indian Railways led by ex-Bihar CM, Lalu Prasad Yadav achieved for the Indian Railways. If you thought the Bihar politician was all for only Aam admi and the earthen cups, you are wrong.

He is a politiican and a tactician to the core. When he gets going, he could achieve what he wants.

Eventhough the train fares have not be increased on the look of it, there have been considerable increase in other areas of train travel and railway services. Recently I had to make a Tatkal booking from Madras to Chenganuur. What do you think is the Tatkal charges now : its Rs 150 (previously Rs. 50), for non-season times, its Rs 75.

Previously there were only 72 seats under Tatkal. Now too it looks like 72 seats but you can even book a Tatkal waiting list ticket. What that means is that you could book up WL 25 to WL 50 in tatkal waiting list and 'pay' money, jump the normal waitinglist queue and get a ticket. For those having a waiting list ticket closer to WL 20 to WL 50 need not actually get it as tatkal WL tickets are given priority - so it looks like a bidding war kind of sorts. If you have money, then you could go for a tatkal ticket, pay the Rs 150 extra and jump the queue.

No comments on whether this is good or bad. Previously people go through brokers and travel agents by paying the extra money (Rs 200) and get a ticket. Now they can go through legitimate ways. Another enhancement :-) to the pricing is tatkal tickets are only for the full travel of the train, meaning if you are planning to get down at Chenganuur, you still need to pay all the way to Trivandrum (last stop). That's another new, pay for what you do not want.

Well if you think I am trying to say these price increases alone have led to the railways turnaround, it is not. I understand transporting goods on trains have become dearer by over 30%. Yes that actually increases cost of consumer goods, but not the primary product of the railways - basically railway travel and hence the minister still remains the darling of the poor while the blame for price rise goes to the rest of the market !

Whatever, kudos to the railway minister and all the best to give a us a train service that rocks !